KATE Middleton surprised shoppers when she was spotted shopping in London with Princess Charlotte and Prince George on Monday.
But when it comes to parenting the Duchess of Cambridge ditches airs and graces with her three kids receiving no special treatment.
From a strict pocket money budget to letting her indulge in a little Peppa Pig, we reveal Kate’s top “normal mum” tips.
Pocket money
While they may be part of the richest family in the world the Cambridge kids are treated no differently to the average child when it comes to an allowance.
The duchess is said to have visited a store on King’s Road with George, seven, and Charlotte, five, on Monday where they used their own money to pay for their purchases.
Alexa, who works in the store the duchess visited, Tweeted: “I’ve always been a Kate Middleton fan… today she was in one of my stores on the Kings Road with George and Charlotte, what the team told me about how she was with them and how the kids were with each other makes me like her even more!”
And she went on: “I wasn’t there but she talked to my team, the kids had a budget that they stuck to and paid for their own things with their own money.
“Just normal well brought up children and a normal parent trying to do the right thing and that’s just lovely!”
Encourages time outdoors
She is also passionate about boosting the happiness of her youngsters by allowing a lot of playtime outside – come rain or shine – and enjoying “simple things.”
Speaking on the podcast Happy Baby Happy Mum, Kate said: “As children, we spent a lot of time outside and it’s something I’m really passionate about.
“I think it’s so great for physical and mental wellbeing and laying those foundations.”
Kate told Mary Berry on their Christmas Special with ITV: “We grow our own vegetables. We’ve got carrots, beans, beetroot – a massive favourite – Louis absolutely loves beetroot.
“I think being outside and being in nature is such a great environment for [children] to learn lifelong skills, really. Physical, emotional and cognitive skills. Whether it’s digging, running, boulder-hopping…”
Uses parenting books
Although she has a nanny and very hands-on parents who help out, Kate likes to be extremely involved in her kids’ lives and reads up on new parenting techniques.
According to Radar Online, she gets advice on child-rearing from books like Positive Discipline: The First Three Years and The Happiest Toddler on the Block.
She also admits when she doesn’t get it right, and opened up about this at The Royal Foundation’s ‘Mental Health in Education’ conference in London.
Kate said: “When I first started out and I’ve learnt a lot in a short period of time working with organisations, I was very naive myself as a parent, of really just how important particularly the early years are for children’s futures.
“And how critical it is, everyone looking after children at a critical time, teachers, parents, and everyone who’s caring for them, how important it is that we get it right.”
Peppa Pig binges… occasionally
Being a royal child certainly has its perks, but the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are keen that Prince George and Princess Charlotte don’t grow up spoiled.
According to royal insider Katie Nicholl, Kate has “strict” rules when it comes to her kids’ screen time and prefers for them to enjoy the great outdoors.
However, the royal kids do watch some kids programmes when they are allowed.
Prince William told Radio 1 that Prince George was a huge fan of Peppa Pig, but he’s moved on to Fireman Sam.
William joked: “You have to pretend you’re really interested in it because George gets very upset if you’re not showing due diligence to the characters.”
Getting silly
The duchess was praised for her sweet reaction when Princess Charlotte poked her tongue out at crowds at the charity regatta in 2019.
In an adorable video, Kate encourages her young tot to wave at onlookers in Cowes, Isle of Wight – but the princess has other ideas.
As Princess Charlotte cheekily put her tongue out, Kate appeared to erupt into laughter – like many well-wishers.
Many amused parents were quick to gush over the clip, with one saying: “Just a normal child! You can’t control their every move. Kate’s response was fantastic!”
And mess is encouraged too
Even though they are royalty with a household of staff, Princess Charlotte and Prince George love to get messy in the kitchen.
Charlotte and George love to make pizza and prefer it when they can make their bases from scratch.
When Kate was recently making food for a Commonwealth Big Lunch at St Luke’s Community Centre, she said: “I’ve done that with George and Charlotte—making pizza dough.
“They love it because they can get their hands messy.”
Kate also revealed during an engagement in Luton where she watched a cooking demonstration: “When I try to do this with George at home, chocolate and the golden syrup goes everywhere.
“George makes so much mess. It’s chaos.”
In other royal news, we told you how Kate had her heart set on a baby boy name – and it wasn’t George or Louis.
And the Duchess of Cambridge stunned shoppers in 2018 by popping into budget store The Range to buy festive gifts.
Plus 10 times down-to-earth Kate Middleton has been Queen Thrifty – from budget flights to bargain fashion rails.
